Membership

Anyone who is interested is invited to join the club! You don't need to personally own a German Shepherd Dog! Just the admiration and love of these intelligent and magnificent breed of dog is enough!  Fill out a contact request and we will email you an application and invite you to our next scheduled club meeting.  We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you into our group!

The 2022 Board of Directors

President:                Kathy Marmack                  

Vice President:     Heidi Selman                            

Secretary:                V. Diane Niles                       

Treasurer:                Charlene Wolff                    

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At Large:                    Betsy Hartwig

Our mission

The German Shepherd Dog Club of San Diego County  is an AKC sanctioned non-profit breed specific dog club that promotes, ethical training and treatment of German Shepherd Dogs, participation in AKC sanctioned and other dog organization dog sports such as, obedience, rally obedience, tracking, barn hunt, agility, herding, confirmation, herding, trail and locate, lost items, and various other dog sports and disciplines.

Meet the breed

The American Kennel Club describes the German Shepherd Dog in its Meet the Breed statement below. 

The Breed Standard is definitive description of the breed as recognized by the AKC.

Meet the Breed 
The German Shepherd Dog is hailed as the world’s leading police, guard and military dog, however, this dependable breed is more than its 9-to-5 job. Consistently one of the United States ’ most popular breeds, according to AKC Registration Statistics, the German Shepherd Dog is also a loving family companion, herder and show competitor. The breed is approachable, direct and fearless, with a strong, muscular body. The GSD may be most colors but most commonly is black and tan.

The German Shepherd Dog originated in 1899 in Karlsruhe, Germany, due to the efforts of Capt. Max von Stephanitz and others. Derived from the old breeds of herding and farm dogs, the first German Shepherd Dog exhibited in America was in 1907. The fame associated with Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart, two members of the breed whose movies played on variations of the boy and his dog theme, shot the popularity of the breed sky high. Energetic and fun-loving, the breed is very fond of children once a relationship is established. He is a loyal family pet and a good guard dog, the ideal choice for many families. He requires regular exercise and grooming.

The Breed Standard

General Appearance
The first impression of a good German Shepherd Dog is that of a strong, agile, well muscled animal, alert and full of life. It is well balanced, with harmonious development of the forequarter and hindquarter. The dog is longer than tall, deep-bodied, and presents an outline of smooth curves rather than angles. It looks substantial and not spindly, giving the impression, both at rest and in motion, of muscular fitness and nimbleness without any look of clumsiness or soft living. The ideal dog is stamped with a look of quality and nobility--difficult to define, but unmistakable when present. Secondary sex characteristics are strongly marked, and every animal gives a definite impression of masculinity or femininity, according to its sex.

Temperament
The breed has a distinct personality marked by direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, self-confidence and a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. It is poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert; both fit and willing to serve in its capacity as companion, watchdog, blind leader, herding dog, or guardian, whichever the circumstances may demand. The dog must not be timid, shrinking behind its master or handler; it should not be nervous, looking about or upward with anxious expression or showing nervous reactions, such as tucking of tail, to strange sounds or sights. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character. Any of the above deficiencies in character which indicate shyness must be penalized as very serious faults and any dog exhibiting pronounced indications of these must be excused from the ring. It must be possible for the judge to observe the teeth and to determine that both testicles are descended. Any dog that attempts to bite the judge must be disqualified. The ideal dog is a working animal with an incorruptible character combined with body and gait suitable for the arduous work that constitutes its primary purpose.

Our vision

The German Shepherd Dog Club of San Diego County's vision is to perpetuate the positive public image of  the German Shepherd Dog breed. GSDCSDC also advocates for the ethical and proper breeding of the GSD breed. GSDCSDC encourages participation of their members to support the various dog sports the German Shepherd Dog excels in.